Sydney Roosters History

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Written by: Shannon William Bryce.The Foundation YearsOn the 24th of January, 1908 Eastern Suburbs decided at a meeting at Paddington Town Hall to leave behind its Union counterparts and enter into the NSWRL. Bringing with them their local playing strip as worn during the Rugby Union days, consisting of red, blue, and white, the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club was born.With the NSWRL being able to sign Union crowd favourite Dally Messenger, Easts were handed his services due to rule stipulations regarding players playing for their local area. Easts were led out for the first time by captain Henry 'Jersey' Flegg and started off their existence with a 32 ? 16 victory over Newtown in front of a crowd of 3000 at Wentworth Park. The 'Tricolours' would remain competitive throughout the entire season even without star player Dally Messenger at the beginning of the season due to representative commitments. Losing only one regular season match through the year, the tricolours headed up a star line up including Dan Frawley, Lou Jones, Sandy Pearce, Larry O'Malley, Albert Rosenfeld, Dally Messenger, and captain Jersey Flegg. Feeling the loss of several star players due to the Kangaroo Tour, Easts were able to defeat North Sydney to earn the right to face Souths in the final. Played in a highly contested match, Easts were close to snatching victory in the final minutes of the game with a try in the corner. Trailing 14-12, the tricolours were unable to make the conversion to force a re-match, ultimately handing over the premiership to the Rabbitohs. In 1909 Easts showed early signs of improving on the previous years efforts. However a 5 game losing streak towards the back end of the competition saw the tricolours bow out of contention. 1910 saw little improvement, with the team failing to show any form of consistency and eventually missed out on a semi-final berth. In 1911 Easts would finally be able to reap the full benefits of 'the Master' Dally Messenger, who declined to tour with the Kangaroos. Defeating Souths for the right to challenge Minor Premiers Glebe for the premiership, the tricolours took Glebe on in knowledge that a victory would entitle them to a re-match for the premiership. Winning 22-9 in the first of 2 games, Easts were able to prevail 11-8 after a come from behind victory to take out their maiden premiership. Messenger was instrumental in the win, scoring a try and converting 2 tries and a field goal to help the tricolours in their performance. In 1912 a change to the rules was implemented, with the Minor Premier to be awarded the major premiership. Backing up with their previous year's performance, the tricolours along with Glebe remained the 2 stand out teams throughout the 1912 competition. With both teams suffering only 1 loss during the lead up to their match, it was well anticipated that even though there would 4 matches remaining after their clash, the winner would more than likely take out the premiership.In front of an approximate crowd of 25,000 at the Sports Ground, Dally Messenger would once again prove the difference by kicking a field goal minutes before fulltime to lead the tricolours to victory 6-4 in a close rain soaked and muddy game.In 1913 Easts would once again prove the dominant force, losing only twice during the regular season to Newtown and Glebe, Easts finished atop of the ladder and were handed the 1913 Premiership. Completing their first premiership treble, Easts would also become the first team to ever win 3 premierships in a row.1914 showed signs of promise from the Bondi based team who, during the middle of the season looked quite capable of taking out their fourth premiership in as many years. However key losses in their final 5 games saw the tricolours finish 3rd for the end of the year. The following years showed little sign of improvements with Easts failing to finish higher than 5th. The War YearsWith the introduction of the 'first-past-the-post' era; an era where teams finishing ontop of the ladder remained unchallenged; Easts had to settle for runners-up in both 1919 Balmain and 1921 North Sydney.At the end of the 1923 season, both Easts and the Rabbitohs finished equal first, resulting in a Grand Final between the two inner-Sydney clubs. The result was a spectacular 15-12 win by Easts in which captain Harry Caples proved the difference by scoring a late try to seal victory. The win gave the Bondi based team their 4th premiership.The 1930s would provide one of , if not the most successful era of the Eastern Suburbs club in its long and rich history. Finishing joint Minor Premiers to the more experienced Wests team in 1934, Easts came short of winning the premiership by going down to Wests 15-12.With the presence of the legendary Dave Brown, who at this stage was setting point scoring records that would remain unbroken to this very present day; Eastern Suburbs were always going to finish ontop of the premiership table. With a massive 8 points difference from their next opponent, Easts progressed into the Grand Final by defeating Wests in the major semi 15-10.The only team capable of stopping the mighty Easts failed to do so in the Grand Final, with Souths going down to the eventual premiers 19-3 in front of a 22,106 spectators.Easts would retain the premiership in 1936, defeating Balmain 32-12 to claim their 6th premiership. Celebrating their 30th year of existence in 1937, Easts completed their second premiership treble by finishing Minor Premiers in a shortened season due to a Kanagroos Tour, which seen them automatically handed the premiership.Feeling the strain of representative commitments having supplied 8 players for the Kangaroo Tour, it would only be towards the back end of the 1938 season that Easts would show shades of their previous winning formula.In a not-so-easy task, Easts defeated Souths in the Minor Semi to take on the unlikely opponent of Canterbury, who three years previously the Roosters tore apart with an 87-7 win. However the turn around was evident when Canterbury took out the premiership with a 19-6 win over the tricolours.It would only take 2 years for Easts to extract revenge on the Canterbury based team, meeting them in the 1940 Grand Final after taking out the Minor Premiership, Easts prevailed 24-14 to claim their 4th premiership in 6 years.The following year Easts once again were able to make the Grand Final, however a determined St. George side removed all hopes of premiership glory for the tricolours with an impressive 31-14 win.Taking out their 7th Minor Premiership in 13 years, Easts headed up the 1945 Grand Final against fourth placed Balmain. With an inspirational 3 try and 5 goal effort by Dick Dunn, Easts took out the premiership 22-18 and moved up to second on the list of most premierships won, only 3 behind Souths.Birth of the RoosterAdopting a new playing strip that consisted of a V shaped design similar to that of the ever so popular French teams who also wore red, white, and blue, the Eastern Suburbs club became known as the Roosters. This was due to the similarities of the French team jersey, who displayed a cock badge on their jersey.The Roosters were able to make the 1960 Grand Final, unfortunately their opponents were the mighty St. George Dragons who were in the middle of a dynasty that lasted 11 premierships. The Jack Gibson captained side was to be no match for the Dragons, with Easts being defeated 31 ? 6.The 1960 Grand Final would remain the highlight of the decade for the Roosters, who would have their worst era yet. Consistently finishing at the bottom of the table, the Roosters would make history in 1966 by failing to win a single a game.1967 however brought redemption for the Roosters, who were able to shake off the ghosts of the previous seasons by finishing in fourth place under the guidance of rookie coach Jack Gibson.The Glory YearsThe 1970s would become a very successful decade for the Roosters, competing in 4 Grand Finals, 2 of which they went on to become premiers and also fielding a team that will be remembered as one of the greatest ever.Reaching the Grand Final against Manly in 1972, they led early on before a series of mistakes and lost oppurtunites saw valant comeback by Manly who went on to win 19-14.With the introduction of Easts Leagues Club which would become their backbone of success for years to come, the Roosters were able to bring back Jack Gibson to the Bondi based club and along with a team including the likes of Mark Harris, John Brass, Bill Mullins, Russell Fairfax, Johnny Mayes, John Peard, Ron Coote, Ian Schubert and captain Arthur Beetson a recipe for success was slowly building.In 1974 and 75 the Roosters would dominate the competition like no team before them. Losing only 5 regular season matches in those combined years, the Roosters were able to steamroll their way to the 1975 Premiership on the back of a premiership record of 19 wins in a row which was only eventually stopped in the first semi-final with the loss coming at the hands of St. George.The Roosters were able to extract revenge though, with both teams meeting up weeks later in the Grand Final, a match remembered famously for Graeme 'Changa' Langlands white boots. The Roosters destroyed the Dragons with a 38 points to nil win, which still remains the greatest winning margin in a Grand Final.Remaining competitive throughout the remainder of the decade, the Roosters returned to the Grand Final scene in 1980 taking on the Canterbury Bulldogs team known as the 'Entertainers', the Roosters were easily disposed of being defeated 18-4 in the decider. In 1981 the Roosters were thought to get a chance of redemption after winning the Minor Premiership, however crucial losses at the back end of the season saw them watching the Grand Final from the grandstands. 1982 would see the Roosters field one of their more competitive teams for the last time in a long period. Making the preliminary final against defending premiers Parrmatta, the Roosters were sent packing with a 33 ? 0 defeat. It would be a long wait for Roosters fans before they would once again see a genuine premiership contending team.The Transit Lounge EraOne of the darkest eras for the Roosters since the 1950's and 60's, the Roosters would show little signs of success throughout this period. Bestowed the nickname the 'Transit Lounge' due to the clubs persistence to purchase established players often past their peak at an incredible rate. Lasting between more than a decade from 1983 to 1994, the Roosters were only capable of making the finals once during 1987 under the inspirational leadership of Hugh McGahan in which they were defeated by the Canberra Raiders in the preliminary final. The week before Easts lost 10-6 to Manly in an epic, bruising and controversial semi-final. It took the stuffing out of the Roosters the following week. McGahan due to his performances for Easts and New Zealand would win the Golden Boot Award.This period drew little highlights from the club which saw only four Australian representatives being produced in John Ferguson (1985), David Trewhella (1989) and Craig Salvatori (1991).Super League and BeyondA bitter Super League war saw the arrival of successful coach Phil Gould to the streets of Bondi in 1995. A year later Australian captain Brad Fittler would follow in a show of no faith in the Super League bound Penrith Panthers. Reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 9 years, the Roosters bowed out of the 1996 competition with losses to the eventual Grand Finalists in Manly and St. George.The 1997 line up boasted one of the best on paper in the ARL competition, consisting of players such as Terry Hermansson, Jason Lowrie, Adrian Lam, Luke Ricketson, David Barnhill, Scott Gourley, Matt Sing, Andrew Walker and Ivan Cleary to accompany Brad Fittler, the newly named 'Sydney City Roosters' took their premiership campaign to the Grand Final qualifier. Equalling the scores at 16 a piece with two late tries, the Roosters Grand Final hopes were shot to pieces with a field goal by Manly in the final minutes.In a newly formed and unified NRL competition, the Roosters were able to finish 6th to secure a finals berth. Tough away wins against Melbourne and Newcastle saw the Roosters progress to the Grand Final qualifier for the second year in a row. Unfortunately the Roosters would not be rewarded for their away victories, having to face the powerhouse Brisbane Broncos at Brisbane, a game which Brisbane comfortably won.1999 saw little highlights from the Roosters, who bowed out of contention with 2 straight final losses. The efforts of captain Brad Fittler, who displayed one of his most dominant performances for the Roosters with 2 solo tries; was not enough to defeat the newly formed St George Illawarra.With a change of coach in Graham Murray and an entire new change of playing style in 2000, the Roosters were able to progress through to the Grand Final on the back of a nail biting victory against Newcastle in the Grand Final qualifier. However the day belonged to the Brisbane Broncos, prevailing 14-6 in a dominant performance.The Roosters would only have to wait 2 years to return to the Grand Final stage. Now under the direction of coach Ricky Stuart, the Roosters were able to capitalise on a 9 game winning streak leading into the Grand Final to surprise the critics and take out the 2002 premiership with a 30-8 performance against the New Zealand Warriors.Trailing by 2 points early in the second half, the Roosters were able to capitalise off a Brad Fittler 40/20 kick to allow Craig Wing to score, setting up a Roosters victory. The win put the Roosters ahead of the Balmain Tigers on the all-time winners list with 12 premierships, still 8 premierships behind South Sydney.The chance to gain premiership 13 came unstuck in 2003. Backing up with another appearance in the Grand Final, the Roosters were tormented by dropped balls at crucial times in a game taunted by wet weather. The Roosters did however have the chance to take control of the game when winger Todd Byrne made a clear break, but he was dragged into touch by Scott Sattler in a moment that will forever be remembered in Grand Final history. The Panthers took their second premiership ever defeating the Sydney Roosters 18-6 in what many describe as the biggest upset since Balmain defeated Souths in 1969.The Roosters would once again reach the Grand Final in 2004 against arch rivals the Canterbury Bulldogs. The game lived up to the hype surrounding the 2 powerhouse clubs, with Canterbury winning the game 16-13 in what would be Roosters captain Brad Fittler's last match.Having lost their star playmaker in Brad Fittler, the Roosters struggled to mount any sort of attacking capabilities in 2005, although were still able to show promising signs in the teams defence. This was not enough to secure the Roosters a finals berth, who missed out for the first time since 1995.In 2006 the Roosters show signs of improvement, with the additions of Braith Anasta from Canterbury and Ashley Harrison from Souths, the Roosters along with prodigy child Jamie Soward are capable of once again being a force in the 2006 premiership.Name ChangesOriginally known as Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club, the Eastern Suburbs marketing name has been changed several times throughout the clubs 99 year existence. In 60's the club brought the introduction of the Roosters emblem.In 1994 the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club changed its marketing name to the Sydney City Roosters which also seen a new logo introduced.However in a bid to market the team to the majority of its fans who do not reside in the Eastern Suburbs, the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club changed its marketing name to the Sydney Roosters in 2000 to appeal to its widening fan base.It must be remembered that although marketing names have changed, the Roosters are still registered as Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club.RivalriesSouth Sydney Rabbitohs: The only fellow foundation club to still be in existence, the Roosters and Rabbitohs share inner-Sydney territory which has produced a strong rivalry between the two since 1908. Heating up in the latter part of the century due to conflict between junior territories; the tension between fans of both camps have escalated with the increased financial success of the Roosters club oppossed to the fading finances associated with the Rabbitohs since the early 90's.In 2005 the Rabbitohs broke an 11 year losing streak to the Roosters by downing them 17-16 in an event filled match.While in earlier years the Rabbitohs have been able to draw key Roosters players to the Redfern based club; the Roosters extracted revenge in late 2005 with the signing of Rabbitohs captain Ashley Harrison along with Rabbitohs junior Braith Anasta from the Bulldogs; whom the Rabbitohs heavily pursued.The Bulldogs: In recent years the Bulldogs rivalry has escalated to be one of the Roosters most passionate in history. While both teams have crossed premiership paths in Grand Finals three previous times before, the most significant chapter came when the Sydney Roosters won the 2002 NRL Premiership on the back of a eight game winning streak.Unfortunately, this was the same year the Bulldogs who were premiership favourites were stripped of 37 points due to cheating the salarp cap in the 2001 and 2002 season. Many Bulldogs fans believe their team was the rightful premiers of that year; however with the Roosters walking into the Grand Final on a eight game winning streak such an outcome will never be known.The following year both teams met up twice in emotionally charged matchups with the Bulldogs prevailing in both. However the Sydney Roosters bounced back in the game that mattered defeating the Bulldogs 28-18 in the Grand Final Qualifier.Bragging rights were short lived when in 2004 both teams met up in Grand Final, the Bulldogs prevailing as premiers 16-13. Although since the 2004 Grand Final the Sydney Roosters have enjoyed success over the Bulldogs twice, the 2004 Grand Final left a dirty taste of Roosters supporters who still hope to extract revenge upon the Canterbury based club in the near future.Information sent to Rleague.com by Shannon William Bryce and Copyrighted to Shannon William Bryce

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